Storage system and method of use of the same

ABSTRACT

A storage systems for storing objects, a container for use in the storage system, and a method of storing and transporting objects are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the presently disclosed storage system includes at least one container maintained in an elevated position above a transportable base, such as a dolly base or a pallet base, where the base includes a load bearing deck. The weight of the at least one container is borne by at least one selectively deployable upright support. According to some embodiments, the container includes at least one channel substantially parallel to a depth dimension and configured so that the upright support at least partially traverses the channel to hold the container to the upright support. In some embodiments, the containers are stackable, and may be stacked on the load-bearing deck and transported with a load in the containers. In some embodiments, after the containers are removed from the upright support, they may be nested for storage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for storing, transporting anddispensing items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is an ongoing need for improved packaging and display systemswhich serve a dual purpose as transport storage containers and in-storedisplay units. These systems allow for goods (e.g. both perishable itemssuch as produce and eggs, and non-perishable items such aspharmaceuticals, hardware items, and office supplies) to be packed bysuppliers and transported into the store, reducing costs and reducingthe risk of product damage by enabling automated packing on one end, andeliminating the need for stocking on the other end.

FIG. 1 provides an image of a prior art dual-purpose packaging andtransport system which combined a shipping container and in-storedisplay in one unit. The system includes two containers 122A (e.g.crates) resting on a load bearing deck 114A (e.g. a deck for supportingthe weight of the loaded containers) of a dolly base 118A including aplurality of wheels 116. The containers are loaded by the suppliers andtransported into the store (e.g. while stacked on the load bearingdeck), where the system functions as an in-store display for dispensingthe items. A plurality of items, in this case packages of eggs, arestored in the containers. After all egg packages are taken from theupper container, the upper container is removed, and consumers in thestore may obtain the egg packages from the lower container.

Unfortunately, the height of the lower container is not necessarily aconvenient height for dispensing the items to consumers who would needto bend down to receive the items. Thus, it would be desirable to have astorage system that provides that aforementioned shipping and in-storedisplay features and includes a mechanism for raising a container to adesired height and maintaining the container at this target height.

It is noted that the following patents provide potentially relevantbackground material for this disclosure: GB 1, 119,652, GB 1,356,126,U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,646, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,463, U.S. Pat. No.6,035,973 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,397.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs are satisfied by several aspects of the presentinvention.

It is now disclosed for the first time a storage system for storingobjects including at least one container for storing the objects, atransportable base (for example, a pallet or a dolly base) having a loadbearing deck and at least one selectively deployable upright support forbearing the weight of at least one container while maintained in anelevated position above the transportable base. In some embodiments, thecontainer is maintained in a substantially constant elevated positionabove the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the presently disclosed storage systemfurther includes a clamping mechanism operative to hold the elevatedcontainer in a substantially constant position along an elongate axis ofthe upright support. It is noted that there is no explicit limitation onthe clamping mechanism, and any clamping mechanism is appropriate forthese embodiments of the present invention.

According to some embodiments, friction between the upright support anda surface contacting the elevated container holds the container in theelevated position above the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, a gravitational moment of the elevatedcontainer contributes to the friction between the surface and theupright support.

According to some embodiments, the container is vertically adjustable toa plurality of heights above the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the container is vertically adjustable toa plurality of pre-defined heights above the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the container is continuously verticallyadjustable above the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the upright support is substantiallyoutside of a downward vertical projection of the supported container.

According to some embodiments, the pallet base is adapted to be liftedby a pair of tines.

According to some embodiments, the transportable base includes a slot orrecess for stowing the upright support.

According to some embodiments, a depth of the container is at least 0.2times a larger horizontal dimension of the container. According to someembodiments, a depth of the container is at least 0.2 times a smallerhorizontal dimension of the container.

According to some embodiments, the load bearing deck substantially lackswalls.

According to some embodiments, a characteristic length of verticalfeatures of the load bearing deck is at most 10% a greater horizontaldirection of the load-bearing deck. According to some embodiments, acharacteristic length of vertical features of the load bearing deck isat most 5% a greater horizontal direction of the load-bearing deck.According to some embodiments, a characteristic length of verticalfeatures of the load bearing deck is at most 10% a lesser horizontaldirection of the load-bearing deck.

According to some embodiments, the system includes a plurality ofnestable containers.

According to some embodiments, the system includes a plurality ofstackable containers.

According to some embodiments, the upright support includes a pluralityof slots, and the elevated container includes a stopping element forengaging a said slot (e.g. at least partial insertion in the slot) tocontribute to said maintaining of said position above said transportablebase.

According to some embodiments, at least one container is disengagable orremovable (e.g. removable without violating the physical structure ofthe container of the support) from the upright support. In one example,the container is removed from the upright support by lifting thecontainer above the upright support.

In one example, the container is used for disposing items (e.g. in ashop), and when all or most items are removed from an uppermostcontainer, the container is removed from the upright support, and acontainer below the uppermost container is raised along the uprightsupport to a convenient position for customer access.

It is now disclosed for the first time a stackable and nestablecontainer for storing objects while held along an upright support abovea base of a storage system. The presently disclosed stackable andnestable container includes a container floor, a plurality of containerwalls attached to the container floor, the container walls configured toat least partially enclose a volume with the container floor, and atleast one channel substantially parallel to a depth dimension of thecontainer configured for at least partial traversal by the uprightsupport to hold the container to the upright support.

According to some embodiments, the channel is associated with at leastone wall.

According to some embodiments, the presently disclosed container furtherincludes a stopping mechanism for holding the container in asubstantially constant position along an elongate axis of the uprightsupport.

According to some embodiments, the stopping mechanism includes a movableobject which can adapt a plurality of configurations, and in oneconfiguration at least a portion of the movable object engages theupright support to hold the container in the substantially constantposition.

According to some embodiments, the movable object is a rotatable handlewhich can rotate to a plurality of configurations.

According to some embodiments, the movable object is a rotatable bailarm which can rotate to a plurality of configurations.

According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the movable objectsubstantially traverses the channel to engage the upright support.

It is now disclosed for the first time a method of storing andtransporting objects including dispensing the objects into a pluralityof containers such that each respective container receives a pluralityof the objects, stacking the containers containing the dispensed objectsto form a vertical stack of containers on a transportable base,transporting the transportable base and the containers from a firstlocation to a second location, and deploying an upright support to thetransportable base such that at least one said container is associatedwith the upright support.

According to some embodiments, the method further includes the steps ofthe elevating the associated container from a first height above theupright support to a second height above the upright support, andmaintaining the elevated container at the second height, wherein theupright support bears a weight of the elevated container that ismaintained at the second height above the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the method further includes after theobjects are removed from at least a sub-plurality of said plurality ofcontainers, nesting the sub-plurality of containers, e.g. for storage.

According to some embodiments, the nested containers are placed on thetransportable base and transported from the second location to a thirdlocation including but not limited to substantially the first location(e.g. return transportation back to the supplier).

According to some embodiments, the method further includes after theobjects are removed from at least a sub-plurality of the plurality ofcontainers, reversing the deployment of the upright support (e.g.folding the upright support to the base, or removing the upright supportfrom the base, or any other method of reversing deployment) and stowingthe upright support on or in the transportable base.

According to some embodiments, the transportable base is a dolly base,and the transporting includes moving the dolly base on rollable objects(e.g. wheels) attached to the dolly base.

According to some embodiments, the transporting includes engaging saidpallet base with a pair of tines, and using the times, moving theengaged pallet base from the first location to the second location.

In one example, the first location is the location of a supplier and thesecond location is a location of a shop, store or other end-user orcustomer distribution point. Thus, according to some embodiments, atdistance between the first and second point is at least 100 meters, orat least a kilometer.

These and further embodiments will be apparent from the detaileddescription and examples that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a view of a prior art system for transporting, storingand dispensing items.

FIG. 2-6 provide views showing various components of a system forstoring objects according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of specific,example embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the example embodiments disclosed. It should also beunderstood that not every feature of the presently disclosed storagesystem for storing objects, container for storing objects, and method ofdispensing objects is necessary to implement the invention as claimed inany particular one of the appended claims. Various elements and featuresof devices are described to fully enable the invention. It should alsobe understood that throughout this disclosure, where a process or methodis shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in anyorder or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that onestep depends on another being performed first.

FIG. 2A-2J provide drawings of various components of a system forstoring objects according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2A, the storage system includes at leastone stackable container 122B whose weight is born by two pillars orupright supports 110A while maintained in an elevated position above adolly base 118B having a load bearing deck 114B for bearing the weightof one or more of the containers 122 (e.g. stacked containers 122Bresting on the load bearing deck). It is noted that each upright support110A is attached to the dolly base 118B with a respective pillar hinge108, and may be folded into recess or slot 144A for stowing when not inuse. Thus, the upright supports 110A are selectively or reversiblyfoldable or deployable to the dolly base 118B.

For embodiments where the base includes a “load bearing deck,” the loadbearing deck is substantially capable of bearing the same load as theentire base. The load bearing deck can be implement as a continuous ordiscontinous surface, a plurality of slats, or any other appropriateload bearing configuration used in pallets and dollies known in the art.

FIG. 2B provides a drawing of an exemplary container 122B having aplurality of container walls 130 attached to a container floor 132. Asillustrated, the container walls provide vertical depth and allow for atleast partial enclosing of a volume. In some embodiments, the verticaldepth of the container is at least 20% a greater horizontal dimension ofthe container. It is noted that any appropriate container having a depthfor at least partially enclosing volume is appropriate for the presentinvention, including but not limited to crates, boxes and bins.

The exemplary container 122B of FIG. 2B includes two bail arms 137A andtwo handles 136. The handle is attached to the container through ahandle hinge 138 and thus is rotatable about the axis of the hinge.Furthermore, it is noted that the exemplary container of FIG. 2Bincludes a pillar slot 134A which is, in effect, a channel substantiallyparallel to a depth dimension (e.g. body fixed z axis) of the container.It is noted that as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C-2F, the pillar or uprightsupport 110A traverses the pillar slot or channel 134A on each end ofthe container 122B to hold the container to the respective uprightsupport 110A.

FIGS. 2C-2E are a series of images describing how a specific containeris raised from a first height H1 above the dolly base 118 to a secondheight H2 above the dolly base. In one example, the container is raisedin a store or shop in order to allow more convenient customer access toitems stored in the container.

As shown in FIGS. 2C-2D, the container is maintained at a first heightabove the dolly base 118B (e.g. distance between the bottom of thecontainer floor 132 and a fixed reference point on the dolly base 118B),and in order to raise the crate, a clamping mechanism for maintainingthe container at the fixed height must first be deactivated (step 146).Subsequently, the container itself is lifted (step 149) from the firstheight H1 to the new height H2, and the clamping mechanism isreactivated (step 148) for the new height. For the particular embodimentof FIG. 2 it is noted that the container may be raised to one of aplurality of specific heights defined by the locations of the grooves106 in the upright support 110A, though it is noted that this is not aspecific limitation of the present invention, and in alternateembodiments (see FIGS. 3-6) vertical adjustment is continuous. Eachgroove 106 is substantially perpedicular to an elongate elongate axis ofthe upright support 110A.

As depicted in step 146 of FIG. 2D, rotation of the handle 136 about thehandle hinge 138 in the counter-clockwise direction disengages thehandle protrusion or tooth 140 from the slot or groove 106 of theupright support 110A to allow free movement of the pillar or uprightsupport 110A through the pillar slot 134A or channel which concomitantlyallows free vertical movement of the container 122B along the uprightsupport. Thus, once the clamping mechanism on each side of the container122B is disengaged, the container 112B may be raised to the desiredheight H2. To re-engage or re-lock the clamping mechanism, the handle136 is rotated in a clockwise direction about the handle hinge 138 toinsert the handle protrusion or tooth 140 into the slot or groove 106 ofthe upright support, thereby preventing vertical movement of the uprightsupport 110A through the pillar slot 134A or channel which fixes thecontainer at a defined vertical position along the elongated axis of theupright support 110A and concomitantly maintains the container 122B at afixed height H2 above the reference point of the dolly base 118B.

Furthermore, it is noted that as depicted in FIG. 2F, the tooth 140 ofthe handle 136 functions as a stopping mechanism which substantiallystops or prevents movement of the container 122B along the elongate axisof the upright support 110A. More specifically, the tooth 140 of thehandle 136 functions as a stopping mechanism which substantially stopsor prevents movement of the upright support 110A through the pillar slotor channel 134A.

Although the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2D-2F depict first unlockingor disengaging the clamping mechanism before subsequently raising thecontainer 122B to the desired height, this is not an explicit limitationof the present invention. In some embodiments, the container 122B restson a fixed point or surface of the base 118 before being raised, andthus there is no need for first disengaging or unlocking the clampingmechanism.

Furthermore, it is noted that there is no explicit limitation on theheight at which a container 122 is maintained by the upright support 110above the deck 114 of the base. In some embodiments, the containersuspended at least twice a depth dimension of the container above thedeck 114 of the transportable base 118.

FIG. 2G depicts the container 122B in both nesting 150 and stacking 152positions, depending on the configuration of the bail arm 137A. Thus,according to the embodiments depicted in FIG. 2, the containers arestackable as depicted in FIG. 2H, though this is not an explicitlimitation of the present invention. This is particularly convenient forsituations where the containers are filled with the soon to be dispenseditems at the supplier's location, and transported in the configurationshown in FIG. 2H to the shop, store or other customer distributionpoint. Once the containers are emptied, they may be nested forconvenient return transport to the supplier.

According to some embodiments, “nestable” containers are containers withthe ability of a container to slide down into another one, reducing thespace they take up when not in use. It is noted that nestable containersdo not need to be nestable while deployed to the upright support inorder to be considered nestable. Specifically, containers which arenestable only when they are not deployed to the upright support are alsodefined to be “nestable.”

According to some embodiments, “stackable” containers are containersthat, when stacked, are configured so each container can support itselfon top of another container, without sliding down into it. Stacking maybe achieved by any method known in the art, including but not limited toby a 180 degree rotation, by cross-stacking (turning rectangular bins 90degrees), using stacking bars (like a vege crate) or stacking on lids.

Alternatively or additionally, the containers or at least one containeris collapsible, e.g. the container can be assembled to full capacity andcollapsed for return freight or storage. Collapsing can be achievedaccording to any technique known in the art, including using attached,fold down sides or removable sides.

FIGS. 2I-2J depict the reversible or selectable folding or deploying ofthe upright supports 110A about the pillar hinges 108. When deployed, asin FIG. 2I, the pillars or upright supports 110A are operative to bearor support the weight of one or more containers 122B and any itemsstored within the containers. After removal of all containers (e.g. inthe store, shop or other distribution point), the deployment of theupright supports 110A or pillars may reversed—e.g. the upright supports110A may be folded or collapsed or nested into or onto the base 118B. Itis noted that stowing the upright supports 110A or pillars into the slotor recess 144A after all containers have been removed is particularlyconvenient for return transport to the supplier.

In some embodiments, the base and/or load bearing deck includes at leastone platform supported by a plurality of supports or legs, and there isa clearance (e.g. 196 of FIG. 2I) beneath the platform (e.g. between alower surface of a platform or lower platform and the supporting floorsurface). In some embodiments, a ratio between a height of the clearanceand a longer horizontal dimension of the platform is at most 0.05, or atmost 0.1 or at most 0.2.

Furthermore, it is noted that there is no limitation on the thickness ofan upright support 110 or pillar. In some embodiments, a ratio betweenan elongate dimension (e.g. 197 of FIG. 2I) of the upright support 110and a greater traverse dimension (e.g. 198 of FIG. 2I) is at least 5. Insome embodiments, a ratio between a greater traverse dimension (e.g. 198of FIG. 2I) and a horizontal length dimension of the container (greateror lesser) is at most 0.3.

It is noted that, in some embodiments, in contrast to the containers 122(e.g. containers depicted in FIG. 2B) which have depth or verticalfeatures for at least partially enclosing a contained volume above theupper surface of the container floor 132, the load bearing deck (e.g.load bearing deck 114B or load bearing deck according to any embodimentof the present invention) of the base substantially lacks walls andsubstantially lacks vertical features. In some embodiments, thecharacteristic length of the vertical features of the load bearing deck(e.g. load bearing deck 114B or load bearing deck according to anyembodiment of the present invention) is at most 10% of a greaterhorizontal direction of the load-bearing deck. In some embodiments, thecharacteristic length of the vertical features of the load bearing deck(e.g. load bearing deck 114B or load bearing deck according to anyembodiment of the present invention) is at most 5% of a greaterhorizontal direction of the load-bearing deck.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the dolly base 118B includes at least one wheel 116or other rollable object for transporting the storage system.Nevertheless, it is noted that this is not a requirement of the presentinvention, and any dolly base (e.g. including wheels or other rollableobjects) or pallet base (e.g. lacking wheels or other rollable objects)such as a base having a load bearing deck is within the scope of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the base includes a continuousor discontinuous substantially flat deck surface. In some embodiments,the pallet base is adapted to be lifted by a pair of tines.

FIGS. 3A-3I provide drawings of various components of a system forstoring objects according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the pillar or upright support 110B issubstantially smooth and lacks grooves. The container 122C on the rightside of FIG. 3A is supported at the top of the pillar or upright support110B, which only partially traverses the pillar slot or channel 134B ofthe container 122C, e.g. with respect to FIG. 3B the pillar traverses alower portion 154 of the pillar slot or channel 134B and does nottraverse an upper portion 156 of the pillar slot 134B.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the bail arm 137B can be configured intothree positions: a stacking configuration (top left 180), a liftingconfiguration (top right 182) for lifting the container, and a“stopping” configuration (184) for substantially stopping or preventingdownward movement of the container 122B along the elongate axis of theupright support 110A, thereby causing the container 122B to bemaintained in a substantially fixed elevated position above the base118C where the pillars or upright supports substantially bear the weightof the supported container 122B. Another view of the “stopping”configuration is provided in FIG. 3F.

FIGS. 3D-3F illustrate the process of raising the container from aposition where the crate 122C rests upon the load bearing deck 114C ofthe dolly base 118C (FIG. 3D), to the position where a portion of thebail arm 137B rests on the top of the upright support 110B, therebysupporting the container 122C. In FIG. 3E the container is raised is notconfigured to be supported by the pillar or upright support 110B (e.g.the bail arm 137B is not in the “stopping” configuration but rather isin the lifting configuration for lifting the container), while in FIG.3F the bail arm 137B adopts the stopping configuration to cause thecontainer to be supported by the upright supports 110B.

It is noted in FIG. 3D that opposing pillars or upright supports 110Bare substantially aligned (190) in the middle of the crate.

FIG. 3G shows an illustration of a full dolly including loadedcontainers for example containers loaded at a supplier ready fortransport and supported by the load bearing deck. It is noted that thecontainers in FIG. 3G are stackable, and that the upright support 110B,while providing for alignment of the containers, only traverses thelower three containers. The top container is stacked on and rests on thecontainer below it.

Referring now to FIGS. 3H-3I, it is noted that the pillars or uprightsupports are foldable into slots for storage. Furthermore, it is notedthat the angles between each respective slot 144B and a body-fixedhorizontal axis (e.g. x axis or y axis) of the deck 114C of the dollybase 118C is an acute angle, to allow for adjacent stowing each opposingpillars next to each other while still providing a configuration whereindeployed opposing pillars or upright supports 110B are substantiallyaligned (190) in the middle of the crate It is noted that the dolly ofFIGS. 3H-3I includes four pillars and is for two rows of crates.

FIG. 3I provides an image of the base 118C with the pillars 110B stowedwithin the base. According to exemplary embodiments of FIG. 3I, thesurface of base 118C is substantially planar with the pillars or uprightsupports 110B stowed within the slots 144B.

FIGS. 4A-4E provide drawings of a storage system according to yet otherembodiments of the invention. It is noted that the container of FIG. 4is a “vented” container, e.g. a container include holes which allow fordrainage of liquids or movement of air through the hole to ventilate thecontainer. Although not an explicit requirement of the presentinvention, it is noted that vented containers are useful, for example,in situations where produce or other perishable items are stored in thecontainer.

It is noted that there is no specific limitation on the material fromwhich the container is constructed. According to some embodiments, amajority of the container is plastic.

With reference to FIG. 4B, and not wishing to be bound by any particulartheory, the clamping mechanism by which container 122D is maintained ata substantially constant position along the elongate axis of uprightsupport 110C, and concomitantly maintained at a substantially constantelevated position above the base 118D will be explained. As illustratedin FIG. 4B, the pillar or upright support 110C traverses the containerat a location removed in the horizontal direction from the center ofmass by a distance l. This gives rise to a moment or torque 172 andconcomitantly gives rise to forces 174 and 176 between the inner surfaceof the pillar slot 134C or channel and the upright support 110C. Staticfriction between the inner surface of the pillar slot 134C and theupright support 110C counteracts the downward pull of gravity, and thusclamps the container 122D to substantially a single position along theupright support 110D. To raise a container 122D along the elongate axisof the upright support 110D, one simply lifts the container tocounteract the downward force of gravity mg on the center of mass.

In some embodiments according to FIGS. 4C-4D, the upright support 110Cis reversibly or selectively deployable to the base 118D by insertingthe upright support 110C into a port or socket 188A of the base 118D. Toreverse the deployment, the upright support 110C is simply removed fromthe port 188A. Subsequently, the support 110C may be stowed in the slotor recess of the base 144C, for example, for transport from the shop orstore back to the supplier. FIG. 4E provides images of a full dollyaccording to this third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5E provide drawings of a storage system according to yet otherembodiments of the invention. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it isnoted that like the embodiments depicted in FIG. 4, the container 122Eembodiments of FIG. 5 can maintain a constant position along theelongate axis of the upright support 110D due to the gravitationalmoment about an axis passing through the upright support 110D,concomitantly causing at least a portion of an inner surface of thepillar slot or channel 134D to adhere to the upright support 110D, whichallows static friction to counteract gravity's downward pull. It isnoted that the container 122E includes a plurality of pillars slot orchannels 134D, and a respective upright support 110D at least partiallytraverses each pillar slot 134D.

As shown in FIGS. 5B-5C, reversing deployment of the upright supports110D includes detaching the upright support 110D from the dolly base118E. The upright supports may be stowed in buried slots 144D orchannels for storage.

FIGS. 6A-6E provides images of components of a storage system accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention. The upright supports110E of the embodiments of FIGS. 6A-6E lie substantially in the interiorregion of the dolly base 118E. Furthermore, the storage system depictedin FIG. 6 may include a plurality of stacks of containers supported by asingle base 118E.

Not wishing to be bound by theory, it that the container 122F accordingto embodiments of FIG. 6 can maintain a constant position along theelongate axis of the upright support 110E due to the gravitationalmoment about an axis passing through the upright support 110E,concomitantly causing at least a portion of an inner surface of thepillar slot or channel 134E to adhere to the upright support 110E, whichallows static friction to counteract gravity's downward pull.

It is also noted that as shown in FIG. 6, the upright supports 110E arereversibly deployable or removable from the port 188B in the dolly base118F.

It is noted that according to some embodiments in accordance with FIGS.2-6, the container may be continuously raised or lowered to along theupright support 110 to a desired height, though this is not a limitationof the present invention. Furthermore, according to some embodiments inaccordance with FIGS. 1-6, raising a specific container above the top ofthe upright support removes or disengages the container from the rest ofthe storage system. In one example, the storage system is used todispense items (e.g. produce) in a shop, and when the top containerempties, a store official or the customer removes the top container andraises the next container to a convenient level for disposing the items.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of theverbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are usedto indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily acomplete listing of members, components, elements or parts of thesubject or subjects of the verb.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions ofembodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodimentscomprise different features, not all of which are required in allembodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present inventionutilize only some of the features or possible combinations of thefeatures. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that aredescribed and embodiments of the present invention comprising differentcombinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occurto persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by thefollowing claims.

1) A storage system for storing objects, the system comprising: a) atleast one container for storing the objects; b) a transportable baseselected from the group consisting of a pallet and a dolly base, saidtransportable base having a load bearing deck; and c) at least oneselectively deployable upright support for bearing the weight of atleast one said container while maintained in an elevated position abovesaid transportable base. 2) The system of claim 1 further comprising: d)a clamping mechanism operative to hold said elevated container in asubstantially constant position along an elongate axis of said uprightsupport. 3) The system of claim 2 wherein friction between said uprightsupport and a surface associated with said elevated container holds saidcontainer in said elevated position above said transportable base. 4)The system of claim 3 wherein a gravitational moment of said elevatedcontainer contributes to said friction between said surface and saidupright support. 5) The system of claim 1 wherein said container isvertically adjustable to a plurality of heights above said transportablebase. 6) The system of claim 5 wherein said container is verticallyadjustable to a plurality of pre-defined heights above saidtransportable base. 7) The system of claim 5 wherein said container iscontinuously vertically adjustable above said transportable base. 8) Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said upright support is substantially outsideof a downward vertical projection of said supported container. 9) Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said pallet base is adapted to be lifted by apair of tines. 10) The system of claim 1 where said transportable baseincludes a slot for stowing said upright support. 11) The system ofclaim 1 wherein a depth of said container is at least 0.2 times a largerhorizontal dimension of said container. 12) The system of claim 1wherein said load bearing deck substantially lacks walls. 13) The systemof claim 1 wherein a characteristic length of vertical features of saidload bearing deck is at most 10% a greater horizontal direction of saidload-bearing deck. 14) The system of claim 1 the system comprises aplurality of said containers, and said containers are nestable. 15) Thesystem of claim 1 the system comprises a plurality of said containers,and said containers are stackable. 16) The system of claim 1 whereinsaid upright support includes a plurality of slots, said elevatedcontainer includes a stopping element for engaging a said slot tocontribute to said maintaining of said position above said transportablebase. 17) The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one container isremovable from said upright support. 18) A container for storing objectswhile held along an upright support above a base of a storage system,the container comprising: a) a container floor; b) a plurality ofcontainer walls attached to said container floor, said container wallsconfigured to at least partially enclose a volume with said containerfloor; and c) at least one channel substantially parallel to a depthdimension of the container, said channel configured for at least partialtraversal by the upright support to hold the container to the uprightsupport, wherein the container is stackable. 19) The container of claim18 wherein said channel is associated with at least one said wall. 20)The container of claim 18 wherein an inner surface of said channel is asurface said wall. 21) The container of claim 18 further comprising: d)a stopping mechanism for holding the container in a substantiallyconstant position along an elongate axis of said upright support. 22)The container of claim 19 wherein said stopping mechanism includes amovable object which can adapt a plurality of configurations, and in onesaid configuration at least a portion of said movable object engages theupright support to hold the container in said substantially constantposition. 23) The container of claim 22 wherein said movable object is arotatable handle which can rotate to a plurality of configurations. 24)The container of claim 22 wherein said movable object is a rotatablebail arm which can rotate to a plurality of configurations. 25) Thecontainer of claim 22 wherein said at least a portion of said movableobject substantially traverses said channel to engage said uprightsupport. 26) The container of claim 18 wherein said container isnestable. 27) The container of claim 18 wherein said container iscollapsible. 28) A method of storing and transporting objects, themethod comprising: a) dispensing the objects into a plurality ofcontainers such that each respective said container receives a pluralityof said objects; b) stacking said containers containing said dispensedobjects to form a vertical stack of said containers on a transportablebase; c) transporting said transportable base and said containers from afirst location to a second location; and d) deploying an upright supportto said transportable base such that at least one said container isassociated with said upright support. 29) The method of claim 28 furthercomprising: e) elevating said associated container from a first heightabove said upright support to a second height above said uprightsupport; and f) maintaining said elevated container at said secondheight, wherein said upright support bears a weight of said elevatedcontainer that is maintained at said second height above saidtransportable base. 30) The method of claim 29 further comprising: g)after said objects are removed from at least a sub-plurality of saidplurality of containers, nesting said sub-plurality of containers. 31)The method of claim 30 wherein said nested containers are placed on saidtransportable base and transported from said second location to a thirdlocation. 32) The method of claim 29 further comprising: g) after saidobjects are removed from at least a sub-plurality of said plurality ofcontainers, reversing deployment of said upright support; and i) stowingsaid upright support on or in said transportable base. 33) The method ofclaim 28 wherein said transportable base is a dolly base, and saidtransporting includes moving said dolly base on rollable objectsattached to said dolly base. 34) The method of claim 28 wherein saidtransportable base is a pallet base, and said transporting includes: i)engaging said pallet base with a pair of tines; and ii) using saidtimes, moving said engaged pallet base from said first location to saidsecond location.